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Archive for the ‘Dark Rums’ Category

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Top 30 Rums Countdown # 22 – Dictador XO Perpetual

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 3, 2012

Top 30SAM_0473 Dictador XO PerpetualAccording to the Dictador website, Dictador Rum is produced in Colombia South America, more exactly, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia at Cartagena de Indias City. The rum is named for Arango Y Ferro who was nicknamed ‘Dictador’ by the local population of Cartagena de Indias, in early Colombia (sometime after 1751) as he rose to prominence in the trade and commerce between the Spanish Colonies and Spain. Arango apparently fell in love with the local cane spirit and became an important producer of rum at that time.

The Dictador Perpetual is an elegant sipping rum and a very worthy addition to my Top 30 Rums in the World listing:

#22  Dictador XO Perpetual

“… I would describe this as a light to medium bodied rum with a soft dryness. The smoky sherry-like accents are very noticeable initially; but as the rum decants, sweeter flavours of butterscotch and toffee begin to take center stage. There is a moderate amount of oak spice and citrus zest which gives the rum a nice spicy heat. Rich brown sugary baking spices, (in particular vanilla and cinnamon) build alongside the butterscotch and toffee… “

This is one of those rare rums which seems to taste better every time I have another glass.

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Top 30 Rums Countdown # 23 – Flor de Caña Centenario 12 Year Old

Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 1, 2012

Top 30Flor de Caña has a history of rum production which is dated to 1890 at the San Antonio Sugar Mill, in Chichigalpa, Nicaragua. The company was founded by Francisco Alfredo Pellas and today, over 120 years later, the company is still headed by the fifth generation of the Pellas family. It has grown to be not only one of Central America’s leading brands of rum, it is also one of the most recognized rum brands in the world.

# 23 – Flor de Caña Centenario 12 Year Old

“… In those breezes are lovely scents of walnut shells and pecans, sticky sweet caramel and honey, rich baking spices (especially cinnamon, cloves, allspice and vanilla), and a nice firm but mellow oakiness which is quite lovely. I receive a distinct impression of richness with nice accents of chocolate caramel, light dabs of cola and a moderately spicy tobacco which drifts upwards to add character to the overall aroma…”

I love this rum, and when my friends and I were doing are tasting sessions, I was quite happy to learn that the loved it too. Our affection translated to position number 23 on my Best Rums of the World Countdown!

Posted in Awards, Dark Rums, Rum, Rum Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Top 30 Rums Countdown # 23 – Flor de Caña Centenario 12 Year Old

Top 30 Rums Countdown # 24 – Bermudez Anniversario

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 30, 2012

Top 30The year 1852 is proudly displayed on the label of each bottle of Bermudez Rum indicating the year in which the Bermudez family began to produce rum commercially. In fact, the Bermudez Rum has been produced in the Dominican Republic practically from the beginning of its nationhood making the Bermudez Distillery the oldest commercial rum distillery in the Dominican Republic. The Bermudez Anniversario is the premium rum in their range and my personal favourite from the Bermudez family. It enters the countdown as the 25th Best Rum in the World.

#24 Ron Bermudez Anniversario

“… Initially, I receive a soft caramel and vanilla from the glass. This is followed by stronger aromas of oak tannin and spice. As I allow the glass to decant, an aroma of fragrant baking spices became more assertive over time expressing a rich molasses and a spicy toffee. There also appears to be a gentle smoke in the air with vague scents of dried fruit…”

The Ron Bermudez Anniversario has an elegant style reminiscent of cognac but it fully retains its character as rum.  I have found this to be a completely unexpected treat.

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Top 30 Rums Countdown # 25 – Rhum Barbancourt 15 Year Old Estate Reserve

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 29, 2012

Rhum Barbancourt is distilled and produced by Societe du Rhum Barbancourt,  in Port Au Prince on the Isle of Haiti. The word “rhum” is the French spelling for our English word “rum”. However, the differences between Rhum and Rum are often much deeper than just a twist in spelling. This is because the traditions of making rhum in the French West Indies differs from the traditions of rum production in the rest of the Caribbean. The major difference in the production of Agricole Rum is that it is distilled from fermented sugar cane juice rather than fermented molasses.

As far as Rhum goes, Rhum Barbancourt kind of breaks the mold and goes its own direction, but it is a direction which pleased the Judges and I so much that it landed at number 25 on the countdown list of the 30 Best Rums in the World:

#25 – Rhum Barbancourt 15 Year Old Estate Reserve

“… The initial scents in the breezes are of butterscotch and sandalwood oak. As the glass breathes the aroma becomes more complex with some light baking spices (vanilla, cinnamon and cloves) and both citrus (orange peel) and dry fruit (dates, apricot and raisin) evolving… “

This Rhum displays a very nice balance of flavour with a more mellow style of oak which allows the flavour nuances within to shine.

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Top 30 Rums Countdown # 26 – Jamaica Independence Reserve

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 28, 2012

Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Jamaica Rum – Jamaica Independence Reserve, is blended from rums which have been aged for a minimum of 50 years in hand selected, oak barrels. Only 800 bottles of this very rare, Limited Edition bottling were made available for sale around the world at a target Retail Price of US$5,000 per 750ml bottle. A few bottles trickled into my home Province of Alberta, and I was lucky enough to sample one with a friend from which I composed my initial review. I was also sent a media kit from Appleton Rum with a 100 ml sample. Using that sample my Judges and I tasted and scored the Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Jamaica Rum in our search for the best rums in the world.

The Jamaica Independence Reserve checks in to my countdown at number 26. It is as well, the most expensive rum on the countdown list:

# 26 – Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Jamaica Rum – Jamaica Independence Reserve

“… I sensed strong notes of oak and orange peel zest rising above the glass imprinted with deep dark brown sugar and baking spices. The dark brown sugar smells grow stronger over time as do the baking spices which display scents of spicy nutmeg, and cinnamon. I also smell walnuts and a strong impression of vanilla…”

The finish of this rum displays oak spice, orange peel, cloves and cinnamon that seems to linger forever.

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